NOVA Counselor Training 01

Learning Objectives The aims of Scouting The BSA advancement process The Nova counselor’s role Know a counselor’s duties and responsibilities The requirements to be a registered counselor Methods of counseling and coaching Guide a Scout through the process 02

The Aims of Scouting Character Development Citizenship Mental and Physical Fitness 03

The Methods of Boy Scouting Ideals of Scouting (Oath, Law, Mottos, etc.) Patrol Method Outdoor Program Advancement Association with Adults Personal Growth Leadership Development Uniform 04

The Methods of Scouting Nova Program Ideals of Scouting (Oath, Law, Promise, etc.) Patrol Method Outdoor Program Advancement Association with Adults Personal Growth Leadership Development Uniform 05

The next step of the Advancement Program Cub Scouting: Rank AdventuresNOVA Supernova Boy Scouts: Venture Scouts: Achievements Merit Badges 06 Rank

What is Advancement? 07

What is Advancement? 08

What is Advancement? 09

What Are Nova Awards? ScienceTechnologyEngineeringMathematics Cub Scouts, WebelosScience Everywhere Down & Dirty Nova WILD! Out of This World Tech TalkSwing!1-2-3 Go! Boy Scouts, VarsityShoot!Start Your EnginesWhoosh!Designed to Crunch Venture ScoutsLaunch!Power UpHang On!Numbers Don’t Lie 10

Why Does the BSA Use Counselors? Method of Scouting: Association with Quality Adults 11

What is a Nova Counselor? Teacher and Coach Verify requirements for awards are met Verify safety and youth protection Follows all MBC guidelines 12

Help develop questions and interest Help research ideas and answers Guide participant in project setup and execution Stimulate discussion Encourage completion Find a Subject Matter Expert / Consultant Counselor’s Role in NOVA - Supernova Activities 13

Becoming a NOVA Counselor or Supernova Mentor RequirementNova Counselors Super Nova Mentor Register annually (no fee, Counselors use position code 58, Mentors use position code 52, not a unit position, registered with your district) YY Be at least 21 years oldYY Be of good characterYY Current Youth Protection trained (Annually)YY Be knowledgeable in the award subject by vocation, hobby, educationFamiliar, can research and discuss unfamiliar topics must be knowledgeable in the award subject by their vocation, hobby, or education Able to work with Scouts-age youthYY Submit Super Nova Mentor applicationNY Be approved by district/council advancement committee **Only Cub NOVA Counselor, counseling their own son – only – does not need to register. YY, approved at district level 14

Adult Registration forms: BSA Application –signed on page 1 & 2 YPT Certificate – completed in the past 12 months Nova – Supernova form Save a copy – pdf or hard. Turn in to unit advancement chair Advancement Chair turns into district committee or DE Council will register, and you receive back a card. 15

Counseling Process Preparation by Scout First meeting Subsequent meetings 16

Characteristics and Needs of Scouts ProgramAge and ExperienceGroup StructureLearning Styles Cub Scouts, Webelos Boys 7 – 10 years old Grade 1 – 5 Little math or science contact Generally in Dens of 4 – 8 Scouts adult leader See and do Tactile and visual Structured Learning Open to everything – no preconceived notions Boy Scouts, Boys 11 – 18 years old Grade 5 – 12 Some math and science education Small groups of 2 to 8, with a buddy Youth leader See and do Tactile and visual Use EDGE teaching method Eager to explore new worlds Science may be seen as “too hard” Varsity Scouts, Venturers Young Men and /or Women 13 – 20 years old Grades 8+ Groups of 2* or more with a buddy Youth leader See and do Reflection, research, brainstorm Self directed – Counselor is a team leader Emulate adult as role model Science and Math may be seen as “un-cool” * One-on-one contact with Scout is prohibited by Youth Protection Policies 17

Characteristics and Needs of Scouts ProgramAge and ExperienceGroup StructureLearning Styles Cub Scouts, Webelos Boys 7 – 10 years old Grade 1 – 5 Little math or science contact Generally in Dens of 4-8 Scouts adult leader See and do Tactile and visual Structured Learning Open to everything – no preconceived notions Boy Scouts,Boys 11 – 18 years old Grade 5 – 12 Some math and science education Small groups of 2 to 8, with a buddy Youth leader See and do Tactile and visual Use EDGE teaching method Eager to explore new worlds Science may be seen as “too hard” Varsity Scouts, Venturers Young Men and /or Women 13 – 20 years old Grades 8+ Groups of 2* or more with a buddy Youth leader See and do Reflection, research, brainstorm Self directed – Counselor is a team leader Emulate adult as role model Science and Math may be seen as “un- cool” * One-on-one contact with Scout is prohibited by Youth Protection Policies 18

Characteristics and Needs of Scouts ProgramAge and ExperienceGroup StructureLearning Styles Cub Scouts, Webelos Boys 7 – 10 years old Grade 1– 5 Little math or science contact Generally in Dens of 4 – 8 Cubs adult leader See and do Tactile and visual Structured Learning Open to everything – no preconceived notions Boy Scouts, Boys 11 – 17 years old Grade 6 – 12 Some math and science education Small groups of 2 to 8, with a buddy Youth leader See and do Tactile and visual Use EDGE teaching method Eager to explore new worlds Science may be seen as “too hard” Varsity Scouts, Venturers Young Men and /or Women 13 – 20 years old Grades 8+ Groups of 2* or more with a buddy Youth leader See and do Reflection, research, brainstorm Self directed – Counselor is a team leader Emulate adult as role model Science and Math may be seen as “un- cool” 19

Characteristics and Needs of Scouts ProgramAge and ExperienceGroup StructureLearning Styles Cub Scouts, Webelos Boys 7 – 10 years old Grade 1 – 5 Little math or science contact Generally in Dens of 4 – 8 Cubs adult leader See and do Tactile and visual Structured Learning Open to everything – no preconceived notions Boy Scouts,Boys 11 – 18 years old Grade 5 – 12 Some math and science education Small groups of 2* to 8, with a buddy Youth leader See and do Tactile and visual Use EDGE teaching method Eager to explore new worlds Science may be seen as “too hard” Varsity Scouts, Venturers Young Men and /or Women 13 – 20 years old Grades 8+ Groups of 2* or more with a buddy Youth leader See and do Reflection, research, brainstorm Self directed – Counselor is a team leader Emulate adult as role model Science and Math may be seen as “un-cool” 20

Tailor Your Teaching Method Coaching Share knowledge Lead experiences Provide advice Teach Scout Coaching Share knowledge Lead experiences Provide advice Teach Scout Mentoring Share extensive experience Support explorations Guide activities Listen, guide thinking and analysis Help Scout learn on own Mentoring Share extensive experience Support explorations Guide activities Listen, guide thinking and analysis Help Scout learn on own E xplain D emonstrate G uide E nable E xplain D emonstrate G uide E nable E xplain D emonstrate G uide E nable E xplain D emonstrate G uide E nable Cub Scouts, Webelos, younger Boy Scouts Cub Scouts, Webelos, younger Boy Scouts Older Boy Scouts, Varsity, Venturers Older Boy Scouts, Varsity, Venturers 21

Expectations and Outcomes Age-Appropriate Learning Outcomes – Interest – Confidence – Fun 22

Nova Counselor may teach any scout including your own son / daughter. Nova Counselor may also be a Supernova mentor, with approval by council and proper paperwork. No limit on the number of Awards you can counsel with one scout. Cub Masters, Scoutmasters & Venture Crew Advisors and not automatically approved as Supernova mentors. They many be Nova counselors. Group instruction is acceptable, but each Scout must be tested and pass individually. There is no time limit for completion of awards. The merit badge counselor assesses the Scout's knowledge to ensure he has completed all the required work—no more, and no less. You may not add to, delete from, or modify the merit badge requirements in any way. Rules: 23

Completion of Award Immediate recognition Certificate, sign off worksheet, or patch Inform unit Advancement leader BSA Advancement Report Nova is unit advancement reporting Supernova is a formal Supernova Application submitted to unit advancement. 24

Nova Activity Awards First Award – get the Nova Patch Next Award – get Nova pins for patch (up to 3) 25

Supernova Awards 26

Risk Mitigation SituationRiskMitigation Scouts research topics on the Internet Contact with inappropriate content Susceptible to Cyber Bullying Scouts in contact with adults not known to them Inappropriate contact Allegations of inappropriate contact Youth Protection training and policies Youth follow Buddy System Different levels of education or understanding of material Missed program opportunities Disrespect from/to peers Bullying Adjust teaching techniques to abilities and preparation level of Scouts Maintain group discipline “No Cheap Shots” policy STEM activities contain hazards Injury Property damage Use safety gear and practices Maintain control of activities 27

Resources Youth Protection Training: Requirements: Nova Award Guidebooks: Adult Application, No Advancement Committee Guide Policies and Procedures, No Boy Scout Handbook, No Boy Scout Requirements, No A Guide for Merit Badge Counseling, No bcounselorguide.aspx bcounselorguide.aspx Supernova Mentor Application form, No Worksheets for Nova & Supernova In resources on Chief Seattle site, &

STEM on Scouting.org Awards – Program Support – Cool Stuff – What is STEM / Nova – Nova News About the Program – Cub – Webelos – Boy - Venture All the requirements in the book are listed here for each Nova Council Support – District Support – Unit Support Fundraising – NASA – NESA – STEM organizations – High adventure – STEM at camp – Volunteer support - Promos 29

Congratulations and Thank you! 30

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